Driving Digital Innovation Across Projects and the Workplace

19 Sep 2024 | Gamuda Berhad

The construction industry has long been perceived as lagging in digital adoption, ranking just above agriculture as one of the least digitised sectors globally, according to McKinsey’s 2017 report. Recognising the strong link between digitisation and productivity growth, Gamuda stands at the forefront of innovation, embracing digital transformation from the outset. While many in the industry are just beginning to explore the technology’s potential, we have woven digitalisation into our DNA, consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in construction. Our proactive approach —replacing traditional blueprints and on-site decision-making with AI-powered project management tools, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and advanced data analytics—has not only set us apart but also positioned us as leaders in shaping the future of our industry on global platforms.

Gamuda’s Digital Leadership Takes Centre Stage

“The Gamuda Innovation Hub spearheads the integration of transformative technologies throughout the Group, enabling us to meet the evolving demands of our business and clients.” – John Lim, Group Chief Digital Officer

Gamuda’s Group Chief Digital Officer, John Lim, recently made waves as a panel speaker at two prominent industry events organised by Autodesk and Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority, respectively:

Autodesk Design and Make Summit ASEAN 2024 on “Gamuda’s Leadership in AI and Data Analytics: Pioneering the Future of Construction”
International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2024, Singapore on “Achieving Project Excellence Through Better Use of Digital Technologies”

At both events, John highlighted Gamuda’s pioneering role in leveraging AI and data analytics to transform the construction industry. His presentations emphasised the critical role of digital adoption in maintaining competitiveness within the construction industry and highlighted Gamuda’s pioneering efforts through the Gamuda Innovation Hub.

A key theme throughout John’s presentations was the importance of company-wide support for successful digital transformation. He underscored the need for collaboration between leadership and operational teams to ensure effective implementation of new technologies.

John Lim, speaking at the IBEW event – has played a pivotal role in steering Gamuda’s digital transformation journey.

Best In-Country Innovator of the Year 2024

We are proud to have been named the Best In-Country Innovator of the Year at the Autodesk ASEAN Innovation Awards 2024 for the Rasau Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The project was recognised for its impressive implementation of digital technologies across different stages of the project lifecycle to ensure data-driven decision-making. The project leverages Building Information Modeling (BIM), a robust Common Data Environment (CDE) to ensure interconnectedness, a wide range of Autodesk solutions and drone technologies to facilitate seamless collaboration, streamlined document management, and efficient workflow management.

As the first water treatment plant project in Malaysia to have been awarded the 5-Star Sustainable INFRASTAR Certification by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, the Rasau WTP project highlights our focus on sustainability, making significant strides in designing and constructing environmentally responsible infrastructure.

Excellence in IT Support

Gamuda’s commitment to internal digital transformation has been recognised with the Freshworks Customer Excellence Award 2024 for Exceptional IT Support under the Construction Category. This award honours organisations that have excelled in enhancing the IT customer experience.

Since implementing the Service Desk Portal (powered by Freshservice under Freshworks) in December 2023, our IT team has collaborated closely with Freshworks to continuously refine the platform based on user feedback. By utilising around 60-70 percent of the platform’s modules – Incident Management, Service Request, Change Management, IT Operations Management, Project Management – we have significantly improved response times and user satisfaction, achieving an impressive 90 percent satisfaction rate.

With the streamlined IT processes across our regional offices, we achieved over 80 percent against industry standard Service Level Agreement (SLA). This collaboration has enabled us to effectively monitor requests, resolve issues quickly, and increase productivity through automation.

Overall, our adoption of the Service Desk Portal has improved the IT service delivery for our internal employees. We remain dedicated to ongoing improvement and maximising the platform’s capabilities to further elevate the IT experience for our users.

John Lim (third from left), on behalf of Gamuda’s IT Team, receiving the Freshworks Customer Excellence Award 2024. This recognition highlights our team’s dedication to delivering efficient IT solutions that empower our projects and drive operational excellence across the board.

The Road Ahead for Digital Transformation

Gamuda’s continued focus on digital innovation will enable us to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. From artificial intelligence (AI) and BIM to enhanced IT support, we are not just responding to today’s challenges—we are setting the standard for tomorrow’s solutions. Through partnerships, technological advancements, and a commitment to excellence, we are confident that our digital journey will continue to lead the way in the construction industry.